Sustainable Tourism Through Art: How Interactive Murals Are Transforming Wat Bo Village in Siem Reap
In August 2024 the Wat Bo Village initiative was officially inaugurated with the aim to become one of Siem Reap’s most inspiring touristic destinations. Street 26 was chosen as the pilot street for this transformation — and what a transformation it has been. With vibrant flags, colorful flowers, new garbage bins, and elegant signage, the street has blossomed into one of the most beautiful corners of the city. Across the wider neighborhood, trees were planted along Wat Bo Road and other streets, bringing shade, life, and freshness to the urban landscape.
But the changes didn’t stop there. The Provincial Administration came up with a creative idea: turning the plain walls that hide electricity boxes into works of art. What started with a single mural on Street 26 in 2024 has now turned into a transformative cultural initiative. By 2025, the vision recently evolved into creating a series of interactive murals — artworks that not only beautify public spaces but also celebrate Cambodian traditions, invite people to engage, and spark awareness of local culture and sustainability.
The first of these murals is now being painted on Wat Bo Road, just before Wat Damnak Pagoda, by the talented artists of the local Art School Colors of Cambodia. Inspired by life in the floating villages of the Tonlé Sap, the mural was co-created through research, brainstorming, and co-design sessions that brought together artists, NGOs, businesses, and local authorities.
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The result will be more than a painting on a wall — it will be an invitation. Visitors are encouraged to step into the mural, interact with it, and feel a deeper connection with Cambodian heritage.
And this is only the beginning. Future murals are planned for Bamboo Street very soon, with the long-term dream of offering mural tours through Wat Bo Village — a new way to explore Siem Reap, discover its cultural richness, promote sustainable tourism and support local businesses along the way.
This exciting project is brought to life by the Siem Reap Administration, with the support of GIZ Cambodia. Wat Bo Village is shaping into a place where creativity, culture, and community go hand in hand. 🌿🎨
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Author: Tom Starkey
Tom Starkey is an International Development graduate from Sussex University with 12-years of experience across 4 continents, Tom's goal is that he wants to showcase his love for Cambodia, where he lives, works and now happily calls home.
